Councillors have agreed a company to keep the city's number 18 bus service running after current operator First Bus said it would was pulling out of the route.

Mayor Marvin Rees and his cabinet announced that a new contractor will operate the service, which transports passengers between Avonmouth and Lyde Green in north Bristol, at a meeting at City Hall this evening.

But the identity of the new contractor has not been announced due to commercial reasons.

Knowle ward Liberal Democrat councillor Gary Hopkins, who was present at the meeting, said a short process inviting the companies who lost out on the contract to appeal would now take place before an announcement can be made.

First Bus had said it can no longer operate services 18 and 18a because it considered them commercially unviable

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One member of the public, who was present at tonight’s meeting, told councillors: “Our concern is so we can travel from Lyde Green across to Avonmouth.

“Elderly Bristolians need to get to the Emersons Green treatment centre and students need to get to UWE.

Mayor Marvin Rees and cabinet members met at City Hall (pictured) to discuss a replacement contractor for the number 18 bus service

“It is absolutely essential we get this service running. We have got to be sure there is connectivity and the issue is evenings and Sundays. Buses are crucial - without them, we will not reduce congestion.”

Until last September, the Avonmouth to Parkway corridor benefited from two bus services – the 18/18a and 501/5012.